Crystal clear silicone

[Greg Wann]

Why don't we put models together with something like this optically clear silicone?  Only a tiny amount should do.  It may or may not damage paint if you attempt to take something apart once cured.  I bought this at Walmart for about 7 bucks.

The wife and I drove to Indiana and spent nearly three months working on a couple of rentals.  I bought a DAP brand clear that needed a gun.  When I used it it was clear like glass.  I said to myself, self!  This would be great stuff for model building!!

[Mark]

I have seen something like that used in certain places on large scale builds.  Suspension parts on 1/8 scale cars, where a little "give" might be desirable when handling or moving the finished model.

[peteski]

Off the top of my head, several reasons (at least for me).  The biggest one is drying time.  I'm a CA glue junkie (instant setting).  Also, silicone is soft and rubbery. That flexibility of all the model's part joints is not something I want in my model.  Another thing is that it is messy. Even in small amounts, it will likely ooze from the joint, requiring a cleanup.  I don't want to double my build time doing glue cleanup.  The next one is related: this stuff is too thick. Some parts need to be assemble in a way that parts touch each other.  Also the bond between bare plastic and silicone is not very strong (especially if there is only very thin layer of silicone). 

When I build my models, they are not designed to be taken apart.

[yh70]

3 hours ago, peteski said:

Off the top of my head, several reasons (at least for me).  The biggest one is drying time.  I'm a CA glue junkie (instant setting).  Also, silicone is soft and rubbery. That flexibility of all the model's part joints is not something I want in my model.  Another thing is that it is messy. Even in small amounts, it will likely ooze from the joint, requiring a cleanup.  I don't want to double my build time doing glue cleanup.  The next one is related: this stuff is too thick. Some parts need to be assemble in a way that parts touch each other.  Also the bond between bare plastic and silicone is not very strong (especially if there is only very thin layer of silicone). 

When I build my models, they are not designed to be taken apart.

i agree with you 100 % Peter..

[Bills72sj]

I think the biggest problem would be adhesion strength. Especially with parts that have very little surface area contact. Like engine fans and rear view mirrors.

[NOBLNG]

Not to mention that it’s a good way to contaminate your paint jobs. Silicone and paint do NOT get along! Good luck repainting something thats been put together with silicone. I don’t want it anywhere near my workbench.?

Edited March 29, 2022 by NOBLNG

[Andrew McD]

I expect there would be adhesion problems with the paint.  I don't think clear silicone takes paint very well.

[Greg Wann]

Those are good points.   I use clear silicone for doing my resin casting work.  It can be dificult to remove.  Thought it might work for model building.

[Oldcarfan27]

MIGHT be good to hold windows and headlights in place though.